2nd Aspen Bosphorus Dialogue: Double transition: Economics and politics across Europe and the Mediterranean

IPC in conjunction with the Aspen Institute Italia hosted the second Aspen Bosphorus Dialogue entitled “Double transition: Economics and politics across Europe and the Mediterranean” on March 2-4, 2012 in Istanbul. The participants of the conference discussed the overarching issues resulting from the relationship between the various actors in, as well as the transformation taking place throughout the region. The discussion over the future of the Eurozone highlighted the varying perspectives on how to address fiscal and budgetary issues, regulation of the banking system and disparities in competitiveness. It was observed that the current crisis has led the EU to become more introverted, while the role of Turkey is growing in importance. At this junction, the participants stressed the crucial need for new and pragmatic forms of cooperation between Brussels and Ankara on key issues such as energy, immigration, and security. In regard to the upheavals throughout the region, it was expressed that evolving states, rather than finding role models, such as Turkey, to emulate, countries of the region need to develop sensible solutions based on their own specific social and economic circumstances. In attendance were Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkish Economy Minister Ali Babacan, Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.